Little Falls transcript., 1887-05-20
GEN. JAMES 4. GARFIELD.
dwelling Of the Magnificent Statue IN the Nation
Il Capital by the ARMY OF the Cumberiand.

President Garfield was represented on the
platform By his two sons, James and
Harry, Mrs. Garfield did not feel able to
be present, hut sent a letter Of regret to the
society. The administers tion OF President
Garfield appeared in the person OF Wayne
Mac Veagh, his attorney general, and Mr..
Window, his secretary of the treasury.
The present administration was represent
ed by the president and the members OF the
cabinet, Mrs. Cleveland and Mrs. Folsom,
in mourning dress, were present, and the
most prominent persons in the social
world who still remain here were there.
Promptly at l o clock Gen. Baird, chief
marshal OF the parade, gave the signal for
marching and the procession started A
platoon OF mounted police led the way.
followed by Gen, Baird and his aides, who
preceded carriage in which were seated
Generals Sherman, Sheridan and Rose
Grams, three OF the four living command.
ers OF the Army OF the Cumberland,
Gen. Buell., the remaining commander,
being unable to be present.
They were soou followed by President
Cleveland, escorted by Gen. Anderson and
Secretary and Mrs Fairchild, Col. and Mrs.
Lamont, Postmaster General Villas and
Secretary Lamar. Mrs. Cleveland came
accompanied by Mrs. Folsom, Miss Bayard
and Miss Welsh, just after / o'clock, and
took her seat beside the presidents chair.
Ex.Secretary Window and ex- Attorney
General McVeagh, Of President Garfield 8
cabinet, were among the guests present.
The marine band surrounding the monu-
mentstruck up Hail to the Chief, 'and annie.
the clapping OF hands the American flag en-
veloping the statue was dropped and the
bronze image stood exposed to the rays oi
the midday sun.
NI1 -{r%, xyl>S =. 4
5ign OF the sculptor, J. Q. A. Ward who al
SO designed the equestrian statue of Gen.
Thomas in Washington. 1t is ten feet SIX
inches in height and represents Garfield
facing the west in the act OF delivering an
address with his right hand resting on a
column and a manuscript held in his Left
Recumbent ideal figures at each corner oil
tho triangular pedestal represent the stu.
dent, the warrior and the statesman, typi-
tying the three epochs in Gen. Garfield g
career. Bronze tablets above the figures
bear globe a trumpet and sword and a
laurel wreath enclosing the scales OF JUS
tice.
Gen. Sheridan then introduced the orator
OF the day, Gen. J. Warren Keifer, who, on
part OF the monument committee, deliy
cd an address transferring the statue to
Gen. Sheridan.
Gen. Sheridan, in behalf OF the society,
then transferred the statue to president
Cleveland in the following words:
Mr.. President: This statue which has
been unveiled in your presence was erected
by the comrades OF Gen. Garfield belonging
to the army OF the Cumberland. They rec.
ognized his merit as soldier, and they
wished to pay some testimony to themerit
and to his worth as q man. I have the
honor, sir, in behalf OF the Society of the
Army OF the Cumberland to ask you, as
the representative OF the American people,
to accept thestatue from their hands as it
was given to me.
President Cleveland, who arose as Gen.
Sheridan began speaking, replied:
Fellow Citizens: In performance of the
duty assigned to me on this occasion, I
hereby accept, on behalf of the people OF
the United States, this complete and beau
tiful statue. Amid the Interchange offrater-
nal greetings between the survivors OF the
Army OF the Cumberland and their former
foes upon the battle field and while the
Union general and the peoples president
awaited burial, the common grief OF the
magnanimoas survivors and mourning cit
izens found expression in the determina-
tion to erect this tribute TO American
greatness, and thus to-day in it's
symmetry and beauty it presents sign OF
animosities forgotten, an emblem OF a broth
erhocd redeemed, and a token of q nation
restored. Monuments and statues multiply
throughout the land fttingly illustrative
Of the love and affection of our grateful
people, and commemorating brave and
patriotic sacrifices in war, fame in peaceful
pursuits, or honor in public station. But
from this day forth. there shall stand at
our seat of government, this statue OF q
distinguished citizen who in his lite and SER
vices combined all those things and more,
which challenge admiration in American
character, loving tenderness in every do,
mestic relation, bravery on the field OF
battle, fame and distinction in our halls
OF legislation and the highest honor and
dignity in the chief magistracy of the ma.
ton. This stately effigy shall not fail to
teach every beholder that the source OF
American greatness is confined to no con-
dition, nor dependent alone for its growth
and development upon favorable sur
roundings. The genius Of our national
life beck ops to usefulness and honor those
in every sphere and offers the highest pre-.
ferment to manly hopes and sturdy,
honest effort, chastened and consecra ted
by patriotic hopes and aspirations. As
long as this statue stands let ii be proudly
the way is open to fame and station until
he
"Moving up from high to higher,
Becomes on fortune crOwnins slope.
The pillar OF a peoples hope,
f.. The center OF a worlds desire.'
Nor can we forget that it also teaches
our people sad and distressing lesson,
and the thoughtful citizen, who views it's
fair proportions connot fail to re-
call the tragedy OF death which
brought grief and mourning to every house.
hold ID the land. But while American citi-
zenship stands aghast and affrighted that
murder and assassinat tion should lurkin the
midst OF q ires people and strike down
search and the discovery OF the origin and
hiding place Of these hateful and unnatur-
al things should be followed by q solemn
resolvesto purge forever from our political
methods and from operations OF ourgovern-
ment, the pervcrsions and misconceptions
which gave birth to passionate and bloody
thoughts. Iffrom this hour our admira-
tion Tor the bravery and nobility of the
American manhood and our faith in the
possibilities and opportunities Of citizen
ship be renewed, il oar appreciation OF the
blessing Of revered union and loye for
our government be strengthened, and il
mad chase after partisan spoils be quick
.ened, the dedication 81 this statue TO the
people 81 the United States win not be in
vain. :s;s .*tE r,:s5# - s5
During the delivery OF his ad dress the
president was frequently interrupted by
applause. He spoke sfuently in q clear
voice. which was audible to most Of the
vast crowd that filled the circle before the
stand. When hc had concluded the band
played "Hal Columbia, and Rev. f. D.
Power, pastor Of Gen. GarRsld's church IN
this city, pronounced the benediction
The troops were then dismissed, and the
ceremonies came to an end. q
n Asnesy II Gen. 6eagNtek.
4 Msmbsra of The Sixth army corps went
from Richmond, Va, on the 18th to Spott.
syIvania court house to dedicate tablet
to1the memory 81 the late Gen. sedgwick,